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Transparency sought in Hantsport

Petition advocates for accountability, answers three weeks after coach firing

CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL VALLEY JOURNAL-ADVERTISER carole.morris-underhill @saltwire.com @CMUnderhill

Nearly three weeks after a volunteer basketball coach was abruptly fired from Hantsport School, the demand for answers and accountability has not died down.

If anything, it’s intensified.

Now, an online petition has been launched, further highlighting the community’s need for answers.

On Feb. 16, Brandon MacInnis, the head coach of the Hantsport School junior boys’ basketball team, was called into a meeting with administration. He said he was told that effective immediately, his time with the team had come to an end and to hand in his keys. He didn’t have a chance to explain himself or seek clarity over the dismissal. He said the only reason he could ascertain was that the team ran drill lines the night before at practice and he wasn’t allowed to hold a team accountable for the actions of a few.

The reaction to the news was swift, with concerned parents only learning of the dismissal from their children. They anticipated a response would be forthcoming from the school. Days went by. No answers, just mounting questions. Even after several media reports and commentaries highlighted the situation, they still had received nothing.

Pat Murphy, the director of programs and services with the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education (AVRCE) — the body that oversees schools in the area, issued an email response to the families. The SaltWire Network has obtained a copy of the correspondence.

The letter confirms the decision was made by the Hantsport School administrators, who believed “it to be in the best interest of the team” — a decision that was supported by the AVRCE.

“I understand that this situation has been personally impactful for all involved. I also recognize the lack of information may be frustrating, but out of respect for confidentiality and for privacy reasons we are unable to share in greater detail,” Murphy wrote.

MacInnis was then thanked for his contributions to the team.

“To the families who have reached out to us, thank you. We hear and recognize your concerns and will bring your feedback to the ongoing conversations as we move forward with the Hantsport School community.”

The response is of little consolation to the parents, young athletes and community members.

“By choosing to not formally communicate the decision to dismiss Brandon and the reasoning behind it to parents, the administration have allowed Brandon’s character to be questioned at a national level,” Kristy Webster, a concerned parent, said in an email interview.

“What could have been a simple conversation has led to the loss of a well-respected, dedicated volunteer and a devastating end to the season for the junior boys’ basketball team. They’ve further damaged the relationship between the administration of Hantsport School and the community.”

HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT

She launched an online petition lobbying for more accountability and transparency. As of March 9, it had more than 3,200 signatures.

“I created the petition as a concerned parent in (an) attempt to end some of the speculation that was being posted on social media and to add visibility of the community support behind Brandon,” said Webster.

“AVRCE needs to see the impact this has had on an

Brandon MacInnis says he is overwhelmed by the community support that continues to pour in since word broke in February that he was fired from his volunteer coaching role at Hantsport School. entire community and that we all want clarification and a review of how the administration has handled this situation.”

The petition notes there had been no prior parent meetings with administration about concerns with MacInnis’ coaching practices, problems between players or concerns from parents.

“The lack of information or a formal statement from administration is creating a highly toxic and hostile environment for rumours and false information to be circulated. Rumours and false narratives are causing unnecessary harm to the administrators, coach Brandon, the players and the school community,” the petition states.

“Transparency, honesty, communication and respect are expectations when children are involved.”

Webster is related to MacInnis and has coached alongside him in the past. He’s coached both of her sons “since before they could tie their own basketball sneakers”

With Brandon MacInnis as the head coach this season, Josh Spencer served as the Hantsport School junior boys’ basketball team’s assistant coach. He said he was never asked for input before MacInnis was dismissed from his coaching duties and found out MacInnis had been fired when he called MacInnis.

and through Hantsport Minor Basketball, has led them to two provincial championships.

This season, he coached her youngest son, Mason, at Hantsport School and is still coaching her oldest son, Jackson, with the under-16 Valley Spartans.

“Brandon is positive, easygoing, kind, and genuine. He positively encourages and supports his players on and off the court,” Webster said of MacInnis’ coaching style.

“He has coached them to be respectful to each other as well as to opponents, and referees. He has taught them how to win and how to lose. He has taught them that hard work pays off and that in order to succeed, you have to work as a team.”

And as a team, the Hantsport Hawks decided to forfeit their playoff match that was scheduled for the same day MacInnis was fired in a show of solidarity.

A few days later, the girls’ squad taped a B on their uniforms to show their support.

SILENCE IS FRUSTRATING

Josh Spencer served as the team’s assistant coach. Like MacInnis, he was blindsided by what transpired.

He said the school’s sports director contacted him before the playoff game to ensure he would be there because MacInnis likely wouldn’t be.

“So I more or less called him right away in a panic thinking something happened to him or to one of his children or wife or something,” said Spencer.

That’s how he learned MacInnis was fired.

“He actually told me. So I have yet to hear anything from the school. It’s been almost three weeks and I still haven’t heard from them,” he said, noting they never asked him for input or clarity on any concerns they may have had.

Spencer has known MacInnis since they were children playing basketball. They grew up in Hantsport, and MacInnis’ father coached him.

This was the first year he volunteered to coach at the school with MacInnis.

“I don’t even have kids on the team. I volunteered my time to be with Brandon and to support these boys throughout the year,” said Spencer, noting he’s frustrated by what transpired.

He described MacInnis as “kind-hearted” and noted MacInnis even helped buy the team new jerseys.

“He’s very fair with the kids. Everyone got playing time; everyone played throughout each game. We always made sure everyone got in and he always looked out for the kids,” said Spencer, noting his dismissal makes no sense.

He said leading up to the playoff game, everyone was in good spirits, describing the boys as “happy-go-lucky.”

He confirmed line drills, sometimes called killers, were held at the Feb. 15 practice, but that wasn’t out of the ordinary.

“Nothing from that practice was different from any other practice that we’ve ever done,” said Spencer, noting they often run line drills at the beginning of practices and do defensive conditioning.

Spencer said the school administration should have handled the situation more professionally. He feels the situation has negatively impacted the kids, noting some of the boys are struggling with anxiety and depression.

“I know myself and Brandon we can deal with it, we’re a lot older and more mature. But these boys are kind of growing up right now dealing with these emotions and … all they have is basketball.”

MacInnis said he appreciates the continued support from the community and remains hopeful that answers will come to light.

“This issue, this

situation, has obviously struck a chord with a lot of people locally and this has reached … all over Canada,” said MacInnis.

“It’s obvious that people are taking it seriously and they want to be heard and they want answers,” he said.

“The support has been awesome, and I want answers too.”

On March 9, MacInnis confirmed he had a meeting with the AVREC the day before but could not disclose any information at this time.

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2023-03-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

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